- Email: [email protected]
Organising for manufacturing innovation
Long
122
Range
Planning
Vol.
3-t
April
1c)c)l core of the legitimizing base for Authority and po\.\;er, tvithour it all organizational structures are vulnerable.
A lor has happened in Europe and the \\-orld over [hc past year and this can cas11y find books ovcrtakcn by cvenrs. The author argues for a ne\v Europe chat would be newlv a\vare of irs responsibilities 10 the South and 10 rhc creation ofa habitable globe. Only rhe tinal page: ‘Perhaps a United States in a postcold \var Lvorld \vill become less preoccupied \vith being the norld policeman .’ And not once \vas the United Narions menrioncd.
Orptti=~7riortz. atrd Sntiotr,ll Ctilture: .-I Cottlpr,tril~e .4tta/yxiS, MOSIR T.\YEB, Sage Publications (19SY), 182 pp.. A22.50. Prcsencs an analysis of competing perspectives in organizational theory on the influence of social contest on organizational structure and behaviour. It dra\vs on a comparative analysis of the similarities and differences in the \vays English and Indian companies and employees respond co the social and cultural environments, and relates rh
Creative
People: How lo _Ifnnage Tilrttl atzd .\fn.uinrize their WINSTON FLETCHER, Hutchinson Business Books 141 pp., Al4.95.
Crmltil!ity,
(19%).
What is creativity? Ho\v can creative people be motivated, managed and controlled? How can their creativity be maximized within organizational constraints? Three of the most important questions rhat need to be considered by all those concerned with organizational management. This wideauthorative and readable book investigates and ranging, analyses the subtle, sensitive and often stormy relationships bet\veen those who earn their talents in organizations, and the organizations which employ them. ‘Ir’s profitable, it’s fun, and it’s \vorth\vhile. What more can you ask of a job?’
Tire Thrlwr
A Drcnde
qi’ Cltatlge,
DENNIS KAV:IN.GH
Univcrsicy
Press
(1989).
This book has tried 10 esaminc rhe change, or lack of change, in a wide number 0fC.K. areas over the past 10 years-from the arcs to Lvelfare. Ho\v much has been etfectively managed? Produced in conjunction with the Institute of Contcmporar) British History. Makes interesring reading. but pity this area does not appear co include much of the knowledge and techniques associated xvith managing strategic change that now exist in industry-.
Europeatt
Bmitzess
Srrarqies,
RICHARD LYNCH, Kogan
Page
(1990), 374 pp., A33.00. Based on a study of 230 top European companies and whar they are doing about 1992. The author develops a strategic framework for those companies preparing co tackle European markets. Plenty of us&Ill facts. figures and advice on a subject thar will be increasingly important for companies-and strategic planners-in rhe coming decade.
Goverttiq tl~r Soul: 7% Shopit!, u of the Private Selj, NIKOLAS ROSE, Rourledge (199O), 304 pp..-A30.00. Examines the way in which our subjective lives have become the object of new forms of knon-ledge and the target. of new forms of power; including an analysis of the soul of Irl Semh of‘ Essellettce. Although. no doubt. rhe writing was academically rigorous, but it lacked soul even more than most management books.
.~fatqett~ettr,
Prentice-Hall Another relevant and readable book on a similar theme is: Teacl1it12 rllc Eleyllnr~r ro Dlrlce: Ettlp~werittg CItiutfe itt l’our Orptti~~~fiott, JMES A. BEL.ISCO, Hurchinson Business Books (1990). 276 pp., Ll4.93. Essential reading for al1 managers; particularly rhose in organizations desperately attempting to cope tvirh. and change, ‘mature’ phase behaviour. The basic problem is that all creative people n-ho feel they can get out. might be best advised to do so; which. ofcourse, makes it ever more ditiiculr for rhose left behind.
/Zfict:
and ANTHONY SELDOS, Oxford 333 pp., A7.95.
JAMES A. F. STOSER and R. EDWARD FREEMAX, (1989). Fourth Edition, 824 pp., A20.93.
First published in 1978. it has deservedly been a best-seller since then, and this laresr. revised and updated, edition is a most impressive, well presented and extremely thorough piece of Lvork. Probably rhe book if anyone wanred just one reaching text on this vast subject. Excellent value.
Test Yom OWI Apcimde, JIM B.~xRE~ and GEOFF WILLIAMS, Kogan Page (1990), Sscond Edition, 213 pp., A4.99. .Strxezic Itttervetttiot~ itt Orgrutizafiottb: Resoluittg Etl~icnl Dilettr!\I. CISH MATEIEWS. Sage Publications (1988), 14-I pp., A13.30.
1~73,
Presents ethical dilemmas and the importance of careful decision making, focusing on the calls for social responsibility and the grooving interest in written codes of ethics. Concern Lvirh business ethics and ethical dilemmas has grolvn tremendously during the past decade, and th:s ISlikely co become even more important in the years ahead. Ethical standards arc rhc
A self-help personality.
guide for rhose \vho wanr to explore rheir motivation and sul’ability for certain careers.
Oryattisirlg Universireit
_for .If~~tt~~t;lc~urirt~ Itwwnriotr, HARRY Twencs (1990), 233 pp., Price N/A.
BOER,
Based on a PhD thesis and co\-ers seven longitudinal case studies on the adoption and Implementation of Flexible
Book Manufacturing Systems in British, Belgian and Dutch mechanical engineering companies. Relevant for the specialist in that particular area.
information boundaries.
feedback. delays, For the specialist.
Reviw-s
policies
and
133 organizational
So$ Systems .\frrhodology irl A-lctiorl, PETER CHECRLAND and JIY SCHOLES.John Wile); (1990). 329 pp., Al9.95. Mappirlg Strategic Thought, ANNE SIGIS.MUND HL’FF, John Wiley (1990), 426 pp., R39.93. Analyses and documents a number of procedures for ‘mapping’ the mental representations of decision makers. Focuses on the concerns ofindividual managers and the commonalities among groups of managers, showing ho\v mapping methods can be used to illustrate and evaluate management thought. Of particular interest to academics concerned with decision making and its consequences, as well as. possibly, some ofthose involved in the strategic management of organizations themselves.
Describes the last decade of the development of SSM, follo\ving Peter Checkland’s .Syrre,)l Thirrkirlg, System3 Pracrire, published in 1981, xvhich described how SSM emerged out of the t-ailure ofsystems engineering L\\-hen attempts Lvcrc made to use SE in management problems. A useful book for those with relevant problems.
Tile .\~elc~ &fnrtnger’j Htwdbook, Consulting Editor AR~ISTRONG, Kogan Page (1990), 438 pp.. LS.99. Designed for managers \vho need a quick wide variety of management activities.
MICH.+EL
introduction
to a
The]06 Promoters: .4]olrrney 10 n :Vew Prqfussiorl, R. MEREDITH BELBIN, Butrer\vorth Heinemann (1999). 190 pp.. A19.95. About the human side ofjob creation Lvith special reference to those Lvith a mission to bring aboutjobs in the localities Lvhere they are most needed. New attitudes and structures in this area are essential and this book makes a useful contribution to thought and action.
Employment Trend3 in the U.K. S&l Firms Sector, STEVE JOHNSON, Institute of Employment Research (1990), 56 pp., ~20.00. Examines the employment trends among small firms in the U.K.; part of the Institute’s valuable work in the area of medium-term assessment of labour market developments. Essential background if the quality of policy decision-making is to be improved.
Strategic Choice: Corpornte St‘~tegies _fjr Chnrtge irl Higher Edrrcafiorl, P.~ur TE~IPLE and CELIA WHITCHURCH, Conference of University Administrators and The Association oiPoltechnit Administrators (1990), 91 pp., 67.93. Chapters cover: The managerial revolution; Higher education planning in a national contest; Looking at the enl-ionment; Strategy development; and Putting the plan into action. Produced in conjunction Lvith Touche Ross Management Consultants. Useful and badly needed. Educational institutions should be learning organizations themsrlves but that does not often appear to be the case, if their ability to manage change successfully is any indicator.
Itlrerllruiowl Di~tiounry qr.~fnrlagcrricrlt, H;\so JOFLWNSEN G. TERRY PAGE. Kogan Page (1990). 359 pp., ,&19.95. More than management.
6000 terms.
techniques
and
concepts
and
used
by
New Explorations in the Economics of Technical Change, C. FREEX~N and L. SOETE, Pinter Publishers (1990), 262 pp., A3S.00. Based on a set of papers prepared for a Conference held at the University of Limburg in November 1989. Chapters grouped in three parts: First deals with problems of innovariotz management and strategy of the firm; second deals with dl$csiorl of innovations within a major service industry (banking) and a major manufacturing industry (automobiles), and with the organizational changes which accompany technical innovation; the third deals with basic theory and theoretical models and with policy. Divisions accepted by the authors as being more one ofconvenience than offundamental differences. Much interesting material, but not written for management.
Colrrlsrllirlg: A Prxticol Clridefir Employers, MICHAEL MEGRAInstitute of Personnel Management (19S9), 292 pp., ,&l-1.93. NAH.C,
Considers the topic from the employers’ point of view and explores such areas as stress, relocation and debt as well as AIDS, substance misuse and psychological testing. The author is Editor-in-chief of Employee Counselling Today.
Sysrem Enquiry: .-I System Dyrlnrrlisz .4pproach. ERIC F. WOLSTESHOL~IE, John Wiley (1990), 238 pp., Ll6.30.
Busirrezs irl Corrresr, DAVID NEEDLE, Van Nostrand (1989), 326 pp., Al4.93.
About improving the quality of thinking and planning in large, complex systems; using the methodology of System Dynamics Lvhich is centred on the use ofinfluence diagrams co construct models of systems in terms of their processes,
A useful general introduction to business functions, activities and issues and the \vay they interact with their environment.
Reinhold
122
Range
Planning
Vol.
3-t
April
1c)c)l core of the legitimizing base for Authority and po\.\;er, tvithour it all organizational structures are vulnerable.
A lor has happened in Europe and the \\-orld over [hc past year and this can cas11y find books ovcrtakcn by cvenrs. The author argues for a ne\v Europe chat would be newlv a\vare of irs responsibilities 10 the South and 10 rhc creation ofa habitable globe. Only rhe tinal page: ‘Perhaps a United States in a postcold \var Lvorld \vill become less preoccupied \vith being the norld policeman .’ And not once \vas the United Narions menrioncd.
Orptti=~7riortz. atrd Sntiotr,ll Ctilture: .-I Cottlpr,tril~e .4tta/yxiS, MOSIR T.\YEB, Sage Publications (19SY), 182 pp.. A22.50. Prcsencs an analysis of competing perspectives in organizational theory on the influence of social contest on organizational structure and behaviour. It dra\vs on a comparative analysis of the similarities and differences in the \vays English and Indian companies and employees respond co the social and cultural environments, and relates rh
Creative
People: How lo _Ifnnage Tilrttl atzd .\fn.uinrize their WINSTON FLETCHER, Hutchinson Business Books 141 pp., Al4.95.
Crmltil!ity,
(19%).
What is creativity? Ho\v can creative people be motivated, managed and controlled? How can their creativity be maximized within organizational constraints? Three of the most important questions rhat need to be considered by all those concerned with organizational management. This wideauthorative and readable book investigates and ranging, analyses the subtle, sensitive and often stormy relationships bet\veen those who earn their talents in organizations, and the organizations which employ them. ‘Ir’s profitable, it’s fun, and it’s \vorth\vhile. What more can you ask of a job?’
Tire Thrlwr
A Drcnde
qi’ Cltatlge,
DENNIS KAV:IN.GH
Univcrsicy
Press
(1989).
This book has tried 10 esaminc rhe change, or lack of change, in a wide number 0fC.K. areas over the past 10 years-from the arcs to Lvelfare. Ho\v much has been etfectively managed? Produced in conjunction with the Institute of Contcmporar) British History. Makes interesring reading. but pity this area does not appear co include much of the knowledge and techniques associated xvith managing strategic change that now exist in industry-.
Europeatt
Bmitzess
Srrarqies,
RICHARD LYNCH, Kogan
Page
(1990), 374 pp., A33.00. Based on a study of 230 top European companies and whar they are doing about 1992. The author develops a strategic framework for those companies preparing co tackle European markets. Plenty of us&Ill facts. figures and advice on a subject thar will be increasingly important for companies-and strategic planners-in rhe coming decade.
Goverttiq tl~r Soul: 7% Shopit!, u of the Private Selj, NIKOLAS ROSE, Rourledge (199O), 304 pp..-A30.00. Examines the way in which our subjective lives have become the object of new forms of knon-ledge and the target. of new forms of power; including an analysis of the soul of Irl Semh of‘ Essellettce. Although. no doubt. rhe writing was academically rigorous, but it lacked soul even more than most management books.
.~fatqett~ettr,
Prentice-Hall Another relevant and readable book on a similar theme is: Teacl1it12 rllc Eleyllnr~r ro Dlrlce: Ettlp~werittg CItiutfe itt l’our Orptti~~~fiott, JMES A. BEL.ISCO, Hurchinson Business Books (1990). 276 pp., Ll4.93. Essential reading for al1 managers; particularly rhose in organizations desperately attempting to cope tvirh. and change, ‘mature’ phase behaviour. The basic problem is that all creative people n-ho feel they can get out. might be best advised to do so; which. ofcourse, makes it ever more ditiiculr for rhose left behind.
/Zfict:
and ANTHONY SELDOS, Oxford 333 pp., A7.95.
JAMES A. F. STOSER and R. EDWARD FREEMAX, (1989). Fourth Edition, 824 pp., A20.93.
First published in 1978. it has deservedly been a best-seller since then, and this laresr. revised and updated, edition is a most impressive, well presented and extremely thorough piece of Lvork. Probably rhe book if anyone wanred just one reaching text on this vast subject. Excellent value.
Test Yom OWI Apcimde, JIM B.~xRE~ and GEOFF WILLIAMS, Kogan Page (1990), Sscond Edition, 213 pp., A4.99. .Strxezic Itttervetttiot~ itt Orgrutizafiottb: Resoluittg Etl~icnl Dilettr!\I. CISH MATEIEWS. Sage Publications (1988), 14-I pp., A13.30.
1~73,
Presents ethical dilemmas and the importance of careful decision making, focusing on the calls for social responsibility and the grooving interest in written codes of ethics. Concern Lvirh business ethics and ethical dilemmas has grolvn tremendously during the past decade, and th:s ISlikely co become even more important in the years ahead. Ethical standards arc rhc
A self-help personality.
guide for rhose \vho wanr to explore rheir motivation and sul’ability for certain careers.
Oryattisirlg Universireit
_for .If~~tt~~t;lc~urirt~ Itwwnriotr, HARRY Twencs (1990), 233 pp., Price N/A.
BOER,
Based on a PhD thesis and co\-ers seven longitudinal case studies on the adoption and Implementation of Flexible
Book Manufacturing Systems in British, Belgian and Dutch mechanical engineering companies. Relevant for the specialist in that particular area.
information boundaries.
feedback. delays, For the specialist.
Reviw-s
policies
and
133 organizational
So$ Systems .\frrhodology irl A-lctiorl, PETER CHECRLAND and JIY SCHOLES.John Wile); (1990). 329 pp., Al9.95. Mappirlg Strategic Thought, ANNE SIGIS.MUND HL’FF, John Wiley (1990), 426 pp., R39.93. Analyses and documents a number of procedures for ‘mapping’ the mental representations of decision makers. Focuses on the concerns ofindividual managers and the commonalities among groups of managers, showing ho\v mapping methods can be used to illustrate and evaluate management thought. Of particular interest to academics concerned with decision making and its consequences, as well as. possibly, some ofthose involved in the strategic management of organizations themselves.
Describes the last decade of the development of SSM, follo\ving Peter Checkland’s .Syrre,)l Thirrkirlg, System3 Pracrire, published in 1981, xvhich described how SSM emerged out of the t-ailure ofsystems engineering L\\-hen attempts Lvcrc made to use SE in management problems. A useful book for those with relevant problems.
Tile .\~elc~ &fnrtnger’j Htwdbook, Consulting Editor AR~ISTRONG, Kogan Page (1990), 438 pp.. LS.99. Designed for managers \vho need a quick wide variety of management activities.
MICH.+EL
introduction
to a
The]06 Promoters: .4]olrrney 10 n :Vew Prqfussiorl, R. MEREDITH BELBIN, Butrer\vorth Heinemann (1999). 190 pp.. A19.95. About the human side ofjob creation Lvith special reference to those Lvith a mission to bring aboutjobs in the localities Lvhere they are most needed. New attitudes and structures in this area are essential and this book makes a useful contribution to thought and action.
Employment Trend3 in the U.K. S&l Firms Sector, STEVE JOHNSON, Institute of Employment Research (1990), 56 pp., ~20.00. Examines the employment trends among small firms in the U.K.; part of the Institute’s valuable work in the area of medium-term assessment of labour market developments. Essential background if the quality of policy decision-making is to be improved.
Strategic Choice: Corpornte St‘~tegies _fjr Chnrtge irl Higher Edrrcafiorl, P.~ur TE~IPLE and CELIA WHITCHURCH, Conference of University Administrators and The Association oiPoltechnit Administrators (1990), 91 pp., 67.93. Chapters cover: The managerial revolution; Higher education planning in a national contest; Looking at the enl-ionment; Strategy development; and Putting the plan into action. Produced in conjunction Lvith Touche Ross Management Consultants. Useful and badly needed. Educational institutions should be learning organizations themsrlves but that does not often appear to be the case, if their ability to manage change successfully is any indicator.
Itlrerllruiowl Di~tiounry qr.~fnrlagcrricrlt, H;\so JOFLWNSEN G. TERRY PAGE. Kogan Page (1990). 359 pp., ,&19.95. More than management.
6000 terms.
techniques
and
concepts
and
used
by
New Explorations in the Economics of Technical Change, C. FREEX~N and L. SOETE, Pinter Publishers (1990), 262 pp., A3S.00. Based on a set of papers prepared for a Conference held at the University of Limburg in November 1989. Chapters grouped in three parts: First deals with problems of innovariotz management and strategy of the firm; second deals with dl$csiorl of innovations within a major service industry (banking) and a major manufacturing industry (automobiles), and with the organizational changes which accompany technical innovation; the third deals with basic theory and theoretical models and with policy. Divisions accepted by the authors as being more one ofconvenience than offundamental differences. Much interesting material, but not written for management.
Colrrlsrllirlg: A Prxticol Clridefir Employers, MICHAEL MEGRAInstitute of Personnel Management (19S9), 292 pp., ,&l-1.93. NAH.C,
Considers the topic from the employers’ point of view and explores such areas as stress, relocation and debt as well as AIDS, substance misuse and psychological testing. The author is Editor-in-chief of Employee Counselling Today.
Sysrem Enquiry: .-I System Dyrlnrrlisz .4pproach. ERIC F. WOLSTESHOL~IE, John Wiley (1990), 238 pp., Ll6.30.
Busirrezs irl Corrresr, DAVID NEEDLE, Van Nostrand (1989), 326 pp., Al4.93.
About improving the quality of thinking and planning in large, complex systems; using the methodology of System Dynamics Lvhich is centred on the use ofinfluence diagrams co construct models of systems in terms of their processes,
A useful general introduction to business functions, activities and issues and the \vay they interact with their environment.
Reinhold